Lord of Miracles

Name: Lord of Miracles
Start: 2025-10-03
End: 2025-10-28
Location: Lima

Lima’s Purple Procession—A Grand March of Prayer, Hope, and Tradition

2026/10/02 - 2026/10/27

Every October, the city of Lima is enveloped in a sea of purple during the Lord of Miracles (Señor de los Milagros) festival. For nearly a month, the city is filled with the scent of incense, sacred hymns, and the sound of marching feet as one of the world’s largest religious processions unfolds. For anyone wanting to experience Peruvian tradition, the power of faith, and Lima’s beloved street foods, this festival is truly unmissable.

The Lord of Miracles festival takes place every October throughout Lima, with the highlight being the grand procession through the city’s historic districts. Not only the faithful, but also tourists and locals alike can participate, making it a vibrant celebration of color, prayer, and unity that draws people from all over Peru and the world.

Main Attractions

The Grand Procession of the Sacred Image

At the heart of the festival is the grand procession, where a massive sacred image (mural) of Christ on the cross is carried through the city by bearers known as "Nazarenes." The platform bearing the image is surrounded by clouds of incense, showers of purple and white flowers, and waves of devotees dressed in purple. Tens of thousands join together to sing hymns and wave white handkerchiefs—a breathtaking sight.

Key Events

On several days throughout October, the grand procession follows various routes through Lima’s historic center. Streets are closed to traffic, and balconies are adorned with purple banners. Along the route, choirs and brass bands perform, priests offer blessings, and special Masses, candlelit night vigils, and the "Descent" ceremony—when the image is lowered for veneration—are held.

Costumes and Decorations

Participants typically wear purple tunics with white sashes, symbolizing penance and humility. Many carry rosaries or small images of the Lord of Miracles, and some walk barefoot in devotion. The city and balconies are decorated with purple and white flowers, candles, and religious banners. The scents of incense and flowers mingle with the ocean breeze, creating an atmosphere that is both solemn and festive.

Traditional Food & Drink

October in Lima means "Turrón de Doña Pepa"—a sweet, anise-flavored nougat topped with colorful candies, found at street stalls and bakeries across the city. Anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers), picarones (sweet potato donuts), mazamorra morada (purple corn pudding), and chicha morada (purple corn drink) are also festival favorites, with their sweet, spicy, and earthy flavors adding to the joy of the celebration.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Lord of Miracles festival traces its origins to the 17th century, when a slave from Angola painted an image of Christ on the wall of an adobe church in Lima. In 1655, a massive earthquake devastated the city, but this mural alone remained untouched—a miracle that sparked widespread devotion. Over time, faith in the Lord of Miracles grew, especially among Lima’s working-class and Afro-Peruvian communities, spreading across Peru as a symbol of hope and resilience.

Today, the Lord of Miracles is Lima’s patron saint and one of South America’s most important religious icons. More than a million people participate in the procession, and Lima is awash in purple throughout October. For many, this festival is a precious time to renew family and community bonds, give thanks, and offer prayers.

Participant Voices

I came from Arequipa just for this festival. I’d heard about the crowds, but the emotion of seeing the sacred image pass right in front of me was beyond anything I’d imagined. I joined the Nazarenes for a few blocks and helped carry the platform. The weight—and the sense of unity—was truly a special experience.

Fun Facts

The main procession can last over 20 hours and cover more than 10 kilometers.
The tradition of the purple tunic is said to have started with Antonia Maldonado, a 17th-century devotee.
In October, more than 500,000 bars of Turrón de Doña Pepa are sold in Lima’s bakeries.
The festival is also celebrated by Peruvian communities in cities such as New York, Madrid, and Milan.